EXCLUSIVE: Stephen McCabe's intervention is the latest escalation in a row between Holyrood and local authorities over funding.
Councillors sick of making cuts to local services could "walk away" and allow the Scottish Government to do the "dirty work" instead, a senior council leader has warned.
But McCabe's prediction that councillors may ultimately refuse to pass on more cuts to their communities is likely to cause concern in Holyrood. Such a scenario can lead to government-appointed commissioners being drafted in to slash spending on all departments except those protected by law, such as schools.
McCabe said: "While Scotland’s councils are under a legal duty to set a balanced budget, it is increasingly likely that in the years ahead many councillors will not have the appetite for making the level of cuts that will be required to achieve this."The situation is that serious but unfortunately the Scottish Government is in denial.
The town hall veteran made the plea to Michael Gove after SNP ministers tied funding from Westminster to accepting a freeze.
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